Zheng Qinwen rallies from 5-0 deficit to defeat Iga Swiatek at US Open

Sports News of Monday, 7 September 2026 Source: Webbers Choice 2026-09-07 « Prev Next » Comments (0) Listen to Article NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 05: Qinwen Zheng of China reacts after defeating Madison Keys of the United States during their Women's Singles Third Round match on Day Seven of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2026 in Flushing, Queens. (Photo by) China's Zheng Qinwen achieved a significant comeback at the 2026 US Open. She recovered from a 5-0 deficit in the first set to defeat eighth seed Iga Swiatek. The final score was 7-5, 6-3, allowing her to reach the quarter-finals. Swiatek seemed dominant early on but lost momentum quickly. Zheng won seven consecutive games to take the first set. She maintained her performance in the second set for a remarkable victory. China's Qinwen Zheng (R) shakes hands with Poland's Iga Swiatek after their match on day nine of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in New York on September 7, 2026. (Photo by KENA BETANCUR / AFP via Getty Images) This win marks a stunning turnaround for Zheng, who is ranked 121st globally. She returned from right elbow surgery and had to win three qualifying matches to enter the main draw. Now, she has won eight straight matches in New York. Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion and former US Open winner, struggled after losing the first set. She took a medical timeout during the second set for treatment on her left thigh. Zheng managed this victory despite landing only 43 percent of her first serves. However, she won 80 percent of points behind those serves compared to Swiatek's 67 percent. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 05: Qinwen Zheng of China reacts after defeating Madison Keys during their Women's Singles Third Round match at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on September 05, 2026 in Flushing, Queens. (Photo by) The victory improves Zheng's record against Swiatek significantly. Previously, Swiatek had won seven out of their last eight meetings. Zheng's only prior win came during the semi-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now she has defeated Swiatek twice in their last three encounters. Her run in New York also included another impressive comeback against Madison Keys in round three. Zheng trailed again at 5-0 in the deciding set and saved a match point before winning that match as well. The Olympic champion will face either Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina next in the quarter-finals. Comments: This article has no comments yet, be the first to comment